Arsenal are set to face Manchester City in a huge clash in the Premier League title race, and the pressure will be on the visitors.
Man City are two points ahead of Arsenal, with both teams still unbeaten across all competitions, and it will be a game of attack against defence.
Striker Erling Haaland has scored nine goals in four Premier League games after a lightning start to the season, but Arsenal have in-form players aiming to silence him.
Goalkeeper David Raya has arguably been the best in Europe this season, conceding just once in five games, and will be full of confidence after his outstanding double save against Atalanta.
Centre-back partnership William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are already being compared to greats of the past, and they handled Haaland well last season.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has now claimed that Mikel Arteta’s side need to win at the Etihad Stadium, but revealed his confidence that they can get a result.
Ian Wright believes Arsenal need to beat Man City
Speaking on the Wrighty’s House Podcast, Wright claimed that Arsenal have a good opportunity to beat Man City and keep their momentum going.
“I believe that, as much as the games have come really quickly – City and Tottenham, I don’t mind it because I feel that the mindset that they’re in right now, and how good the defence is, especially with Haaland in this form coming up against them two [Saliba and Gabriel], I think it’s brilliantly poised and I think our guys realise we have to win,” he stated.
“I want to win, so that they can keep the momentum of what they’re capable of doing.
“Right now, listening to Mikel saying they want to win all the games, they they’re going in to try and win all the games, and I think they know how important it is to beat Man City, especially in this kind of form.
“Rodri’s probably going to come back in, Haaland’s in great form, they are in great form, but we are in great form, and I’m glad that we’re playing them at this stage.
“Declan’s going to be back, I think that this is a great time to play them, because of how well we’re defending.”
Wright then pointed out the form of Haaland, but highlighted that he will be coming up against a very strong defence.
“If Erling’s gonna do his stuff, then he’s gonna have to do some great stuff the way we’re defending at the moment,” he added.
Arsenal need to avoid defeat at Man City
It is still early in the season, and whilst this game is a significant one, it will not necessarily decide the entire title race.
Arsenal are missing captain Martin Odegaard, and whilst the defence has been strong, there are questions over their creativity without the midfielder.
A draw at Man City would be a good result in that it will stop City’s momentum, whilst also securing a point at a ground where until last season, Arsenal would consistently lose.
A loss would be damaging though, as it will send City five points clear, and this gap could be too big to make up over the course of the season.
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